Homeostatic tissue apparatus

Abstract

A device for supporting a tissue, the device has a shaft having a longitudinal axis and at least two atraumatic clamps coupled to the shaft. Each atraumatic clamp may have at least two oppositely polarized magnets. An atraumatic clamp may also have a mounting structure for the magnets. In at least one embodiment, the atraumatic clamps are mounted along the shaft so that when the shaft is positioned relative to a tissue having a length, the clamps may clamp the tissue so that the length of tissue positioned between the clamps is maintained substantially constant.

1. A device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; 
 at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least two atraumatic clamps mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, each of the at least two atraumatic clamps comprising:
 at least two oppositely polarized magnets, wherein the at least two magnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps are electromagnets; and 
 a mounting structure for the at least two magnets; 
 
 a power source for providing power to the electromagnets; 
 at least one electrical connector coupled to the power source and further coupled to at least one of the electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps; and 
 at least one sensor operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least one sensor operable to detect the level of clamping pressure upon a tissue positioned substantially in between at least two of the at least two electromagnets; 
 wherein the at least two atraumatic clamps are mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft such that when the at least one shaft is positioned relative to a tissue having a length, the at least two atraumatic clamps may clamp the tissue such that the length of the tissue positioned between the at least two atraumatic clamps is maintained substantially constant; and 
 whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, causing the at least two atraumatic clamps to clamp a tissue positioned therebetween. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source and the at least one sensor, the at least one control mechanism operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source used to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one control mechanism directs the power source to maintain a present level of power when the clamping pressure detected by the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect a strain in the tissue. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one control mechanism is operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source based upon a level of strain detected in the tissue by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises multiple sensors operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the multiple sensors detects clamping pressure and at least one of the multiple sensors detects strain in the tissue. 
     
     
       8. A device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; and 
 at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least two atraumatic clamps mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, each of the at least two atraumatic clamps comprising:
 at least two oppositely polarized electromagnets; and 
 a mounting structure for the at least two electromagnets; 
 
 a power source for providing power to the at least two electromagnets; 
 at least one electrical connector coupled to the power source and further coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, whereby a magnetic force between the electrified at least one electromagnet and at least one of the remaining at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps is electrically increased; 
 at least one sensor operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least one sensor operable to detect the level of clamping pressure upon a tissue positioned substantially in between at least two of the at least two electromagnets; and 
 at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source and the at least one sensor, the at least one control mechanism operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source used to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps; 
 wherein the at least two atraumatic clamps are mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft such that when the at least one shaft is positioned relative to a tissue having a length, the at least two atraumatic clamps may clamp the tissue such that the length of the tissue positioned between the at least two atraumatic clamps is maintained substantially constant. 
 
     
     
       9. A device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; 
 at least two magnetic collars, the at least two magnetic collars mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, wherein the at least two magnetic collars are electromagnetic collars; 
 a power source for providing power, the power source electrically coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars by at least one electrical connector; and 
 at least one sensor operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars, the at least one sensor operable to detect the level of clamping pressure upon a tissue positioned substantially within at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars; 
 whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars, causing the at least two electromagnetic collars to clamp a tissue positioned therebetween. 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source and the at least one sensor, the at least one control mechanism operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source used to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one control mechanism directs the power source to maintain a present level of power when the clamping pressure detected by the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor is operable to detect a strain in the tissue. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one control mechanism is operable to regulate level of power provided by the power source based upon a level of strain detected in the tissue by the at least one sensor. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises multiple sensors operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the multiple sensors detects clamping pressure and at least one of the multiple sensors detects strain in the tissue. 
     
     
       16. A device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; 
 at least two electromagnetic collars, the at least two electromagnetic collars mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, such that when the at least one shaft is positioned relative to a tissue having a length, the at least two electromagnetic collars may clamp the tissue such that the length of the tissue positioned within the at least two electromagnetic collars is maintained substantially constant; 
 a power source for providing power to the at least two electromagnetic collars, the power source electrically coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars by at least one electrical connector, whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars, causing the at least two electromagnetic collars to clamp a tissue positioned therebetween; 
 at least one sensor operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars, the at least one sensor operable to detect the level of clamping pressure upon a tissue positioned substantially within at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars; and 
 at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source and the at least one sensor, the at least one control mechanism operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source used to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars. 
 
     
     
       17. A method for supporting a tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a device for supporting a tissue having a length, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; 
 at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least two atraumatic clamps mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, each of the at least two atraumatic clamps comprising:
 at least two oppositely polarized magnets; and 
 a mounting structure for the at least two magnets; 
 
 
 positioning the device relative to the tissue; 
 positioning the at least two magnets of the at least two atraumatic clamps substantially around a tissue; 
 clamping the tissue with the at least two atraumatic clamps such that the length of the tissue positioned between the at least two magnets of the at least two atraumatic clamps is maintained substantially constant; and 
 detecting a clamping pressure on the tissue. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of regulating a magnetic force exerted on the tissue when the clamping pressure meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       19. A method for supporting a tissue, the method comprising the steps of
 providing a device for supporting a tissue having a length, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; 
 at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least two atraumatic clamps mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, each of the at least two atraumatic clamps comprising:
 at least two oppositely polarized magnets; and 
 a mounting structure for the at least two magnets; 
 
 
 positioning the device relative to the tissue; 
 positioning the at least two magnets of the at least two atraumatic clamps substantially around a tissue; 
 clamping the tissue with the at least two atraumatic clamps such that the length of the tissue positioned between the at least two magnets of the at least two atraumatic clamps is maintained substantially constant; and 
 detecting a strain within the tissue. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of regulating a force exerted on the tissue based upon the strain detected within the tissue. 
     
     
       21. A system for supporting a tissue, the system comprising:
 a device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; and 
 at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least two atraumatic clamps mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, each of the at least two atraumatic clamps comprising:
 at least two oppositely polarized electromagnets; and 
 a mounting structure for the at least two electromagnets; 
 
 
 a power source for providing power to the at least two electromagnets; 
 at least one electrical connector coupled to the power source and further coupled to at least one of the two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, whereby a magnetic force between the electrified at least one electromagnet and at least one of the remaining at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps is electrically increased; and 
 at least one sensor operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least one sensor operable to detect the level of clamping pressure upon a tissue positioned substantially in between at least two of the at least two electromagnets. 
 
     
     
       22. A system for supporting a tissue, the system comprising:
 a device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; and 
 at least two atraumatic clamps, the at least two atraumatic clamps mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft, each of the at least two atraumatic clamps comprising:
 at least two oppositely polarized electromagnets; and 
 a mounting structure for the at least two electromagnets; 
 
 
 a power source for providinuower to the at least two electromagnets; 
 at least one electrical connector coupled to the power source and further coupled to at least one of the two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps, whereby a magnetic force between the electrified at least one electromagnet and at least one of the remaining at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps is electrically increased; and 
 at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source and the at least one sensor, the at least one control mechanism operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source used to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnets of at least one of the at least two atraumatic clamps. 
 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source directs the power source to maintain a present level of power when the clamping pressure detected by the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       24. A system for supporting a tissue, the system comprising:
 a device for supporting a tissue, the device comprising:
 at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis; and 
 at least two electromagnetic collars, the at least two electromagnetic collars mounted along the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft; 
 
 a power source for providing power, the power source electrically coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars by at least one electrical connector, whereby power is provided by the power source through the at least one electrical connector to electrify at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars, causing the at least two electromagnetic collars to clamp a tissue positioned therebetween; and 
 at least one sensor operably coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars, the at least one sensor operable to detect the level of clamping pressure upon a tissue positioned substantially within at least one of the at least two electromagnetic collars. 
 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source and the at least one sensor, the at least one control mechanism operable to regulate the level of power provided by the power source used to electrify the at least two electromagnetic collars. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one control mechanism operably coupled to the power source directs the power source to maintain a present level of power when the clamping pressure detected by the at least one sensor meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold.